All Baldur's Gate 3 Co-Op & Online Multiplayer Differences (2024)

Baldur's Gate 3 features both online multiplayer and local split-screen co-op, both of which have pros and cons as ways to play the game with friends. Developed by Larian Studios, Baldur's Gate 3 follows up on some of the multiplayer features of the studio's prior game, Divinity: Original Sin 2. BG3 allows up to four players to band together as a party in cooperative play, with characters either being created or chosen from select Origin characters with preset backstories.

Baldur's Gate 3 multiplayer is an exciting way to experience an extensive adventure with friends, but it's important to note that it differs significantly from playing a solo game. In BG3 multiplayer, decisions can be made by various party members depending on the circ*mstances, which can lead to unexpectedly hilarious results. Origin characters can only be chosen at the start of a Baldur's Gate 3 multiplayer campaign, so any later additions will have to come in the form of custom characters.

Baldur's Gate 3 Singleplayer & Multiplayer Differences

No Longer Just A Solo Game

Although there are split opinions on whether the multiplayer BG3 experience is better or worse than a solo playthrough, both have their pros and cons. In a solo experience, it's possible for Tav and crew to take their time and investigate every side quest and additional content that all three chapters of the game have to offer. It also enables players to have mastery over all Baldur's Gate 3 decisions and choices made in the game, of which there are many.

On the contrary, multiplayer game decisions will largely depend on who initiates the interaction, and certain cutscenes seem to choose custom characters at random. This will give different players opportunities to make decisions, potentially forever changing the plot and outcomes of certain storylines. While there is a "voting" system where people can make their preferred choice clear to the decision maker, this is merely a suggestion and could be ignored outright.

It's also important to note that in multiplayer BG3, loot is shared, so unique and powerful items like Legendary armor will have to be given to the character that can make the most use of them. While this is similar to a solo campaign, in multiplayer, it might be necessary to negotiate who gets the item or weapon in the end. That said, all characters will be the "main" characters in their respective campaigns, and they will go through the same main story campaign with the Dream Guardian.

How To Play Baldur's Gate 3 Multiplayer

The Host Must Be Online

Playing BG3 multiplayer is, fortunately, very easy to do in most circ*mstances. To play multiplayer, simply select the Multiplayer option on the main screen in Baldur's Gate 3, then select the Online or LAN option. From here, a Lobby will be created, and people can be invited to the party. Options to select the number of slots, Gameplay Mode, and whether the lobby is public or private are also available on this screen.

When it's time to restart the campaign, it'll be necessary for the game host to resume the game from the last save point, as the game files will be stored with them. This may help in deciding who should host the game, as the person online the most will probably be the best candidate.

Baldur's Gate 3 Multiplayer Updates Changed The Nature Of Co-Op

Withers Wardrobe of Wayward Friends

Prior to Baldur's Gate 3 Patch #2, which dropped in September of 2023, it was impossible to remove a multiplayer party member from the group after they joined. This would eventually be fixed with Withers Wardrobe of Wayward Friends, which enables co-op characters to be removed from the party when they aren't present. In other words, when starting a multiplayer campaign, it's more than possible that at least one person in the party won't be able to play, which would previously leave a vacant custom-created character in the group.

Rather than having to play with that multiplayer character, people can now engage in dialogue with the custom-created NPC and dismiss them. To re-recruit them, it's as simple as traveling back to camp and extracting them from Withers Wardrobe. Instead, they can be replaced by an Origin character like Lae'zel, Karlach, Shadowheart, or Gale, which provides additional story context and unique voice lines and dialogue that would otherwise be absent.

Baldur's Gate 3's Online Multiplayer & Couch Co-Op Have Key Differences

Two Or Four Players Available

Although Baldur's Gate 3's couch co-op option is a great feature, it's also somewhat more limiting than the game's online multiplayer. Split-screen can only support two players versus the online multiplayer's maximum of four, a requirement that makes sense in terms of processing power and screen real estate but can still be disappointing.

Of course, there's also a slight out-of-game requirement, as split-screen co-op will also need multiple controllers connected to the same device to function. The split-screen nature of Baldur Gate 3's couch co-op will also, inevitably, lead to some gameplay differences from online multiplayer, as the shared screen will stop players from hiding any information from each other.

Baldur's Gate 3 Online Multiplayer On Consoles Will Require A Subscription

Playing Baldur's Gate 3 on console after its September 6 release on PlayStation 5 creates another difference to consider as well, as PS5 requires an active PlayStation Plus membership to use the online multiplayer, whereas couch co-op does not. Fans of Baldur's Gate 1 and 2 looking to play the newest installment with friends will, therefore, want to carefully consider their platform of choice for the game depending on which form of co-op they're going for. Luckily, Baldur's Gate 3 will also support cross-save between all platforms, making it easy to transfer progress, although the cost of multiple copies of the game is also a consideration.

The PC release of Baldur's Gate 3 has proven its status as another worthwhile RPG from Larian Studios, differentiating itself from Divinity: Original Sin 2 with the Baldur's Gate series' Dungeons & Dragons mechanics. Whether playing a solo campaign or exploring the world of Baldur's Gate 3 in multiplayer, there's no wrong approach to tackling the extensive campaign in the Forgotten Realms. While there are some key differences between the game's online multiplayer and couch co-op, both serve as rewarding ways to experience Baldur's Gate 3 with friends.

Baldur's Gate 3

Franchise

Baldur's Gate

Platform(s)

PC , Stadia , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X

Released

August 3, 2023

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

Genre(s)

RPG

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence